The increase in simultaneous heatwaves
Climate change is to blame, though the exact mechanism is unclear
THIS WEEK record-breaking temperatures of more than 40°C were forecast in Britain. Schools closed and hospitals cancelled routine appointments. Trains ran less frequently for fear the tracks would buckle. The Royal Air Force had to rearrange flights from its biggest air base after the runway melted. In mainland Europe, things were bleaker still. After weeks of drought, a heatwave sparked wildfires in France, Greece, Portugal and Spain. Parts of America are slogging through one of their hottest summers ever. And swathes of eastern and southern China have seen unusually high temperatures in recent weeks. Why are all of these places suffering extreme heat at the same time?
This article appeared in the The Economist explains section of the print edition under the headline “The increase in simultaneous heatwaves”
From the July 23rd 2022 edition
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